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United States Patent | 6,029,506 |
Dilger | February 29, 2000 |
A method and apparatus for collecting fugitive emissions from valves and other emissions sources is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a capsule enclosing at least a portion of the equipment and an ejector in fluid flow communication with the capsule. The ejector is connected to a compressed air source, which creates a pressure drop in the ejector which draws emissions from the capsule into the ejector. The apparatus may include a sensor chamber housing gas sensors to detect the presence and concentration of any emissions from the equipment being monitored, and may store emissions data, communicate the data to a plant process control system, and use the data to control plant conditions to reduce or eliminate the emissions.
Inventors: | Dilger; John P. (Marshalltown, IA) |
Assignee: | Fisher Controls International, Inc. (Marshalltown, IA) |
Appl. No.: | 968545 |
Filed: | November 12, 1997 |
Current U.S. Class: | 73/46 |
Intern'l Class: | G01N 001/24 |
Field of Search: | 73/40.7,46,863.83,864.34,864.73 |
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Control Engineering, "Controlling Fugitive Emissions In Control Valves", Jacques Chemoul, pp. 107, 108, 110, and 112, Sep. 1995. Control Engineering, "Valve Users Get Help On Fugitive Emissions", George J. Blickley, pp. 117, 118, 120 and 122, Sept. 1995. Journal of Applied Mechanics, "A Simple Air Ejector", J. H. Keenan, et al, pp. A-75-A81, Jun. 1942. |